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O,H .POND. Automatic Transmitter foi" Electrical Indicators. N0. 235,569. I

Patented Dec. 14,1880.

PETERS. PHQTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D C

Uirnn an'rns FFEGEa PATENT CHESTER H. POND, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 235,569, dated December 14, 1880.

Application filed September 4, 1880. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHESTER H. POND, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Transmitters for Electrical Indicators, of which the following is a specification.

In applications for Letters Patent for electrical indicators filed by me on the 13th day of November, 1879, and May 5, 1880, I have described certain improvements by means of which any required number or other predetermined message is instantly exhibited in figures, letters, or other characters by the action of electromagnetism produced by the alternate closingand breaking of an electric circuit at a distant point. In this apparatus a compound number consisting of two or more simple figures or numerals is exhibited by means of two or more independent drops or slides, or rotating disks, each provided with a complete series of numerals from 1 to 9, and these are operated in succession so as to exhibit the proper succession of simple numerals which are required to form the compound number which is desired to be indicated.

My present invention relates to the construction and arrangement of an automatic apparatus for transmitting electric signals or pulsations which are necessary to produce the proper action of the indicators hereinbefore referred to.

To this end my invention consists in a novel art,method, or system of transmitting compound numerical or other signals by alternately breaking and closing an electric circuit at predetermined intervals of time, and in utilizing both the breaking and the closing of the circuit in the transmission of such signals,

whereby the rapidity with which the signals are transmitted is greatly increased.

My invention further consists in a peculiar construction of the circuit-wheel or other transmitting mechanism, whereby the art, method, or system hereinbefore referred to may be practically applied to the transmission of compound signals; and it further consists in certain novel combinations of mechanical devices whereby the apparatus for winding the spring or motor, which byits recoil propels the automatic transmitter, is disconnected therefrom at the instant the winding is completed, whereby any interference of the winding mechanism with the signal-transmitting apparatus during the time the latter is in operation is rendered impossible.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of an automatic transmitter embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is avertical longitudinal section of the same, showing a portion of the interior mechanism. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section of the same; and Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are examples of circuit-wheels for transmitting different compound numbers, as employed in carrying out the invention.

The particular form of apparatus which I have chosen to illustrate my invention is one which is designed for transmitting the numerical designation of different signal-stations to a central station, and is therefore especially applicable -to lire-alarm, district, and other similar telegraphic systems. In a system of this character an indicator is placed at the central or principal station, which is constructed and arranged substantially in the manner described in my applications hereinbefore referred to, and capable of exhibiting any required number consisting of several figures or simple numerals. This is included in a normally-closed electric circuit extending through the several signal-stations, at each of which latter is placed an automatic signaltransmitting apparatus capable of sending a prearranged and determinate signal denoting that particular station and none other. This is effected by a circuit-breaking device-preferably in the form of a wheel, impelled by a spring or weight-which, when set in action,

breaks and closes the circuit at intervals determined by the constructionof the particular circuit-breaker, and thus causes the correspondin g number or character to be exhibited upon the indicator at the central station; but I do not limit myself to a wheel, as in some cases straight circuit-breaking bars may be used to advantage.

Automatic transmitters have heretofore been constructed by which the successive simple numerals com posing a compound number were transmitted by breaking the circuit a corresponding number of times. For example, the

number 242 would be transmitted by making two short breaks, a pause, four short breaks, a pause, and two short breaks. Another wellknown modification of the same system is precisely the reverse of this, the circuit being normally open, and closed at short intervals in the same succession.

My invention differs from both these, inasmuch as the breaking of the circuit and the closing of the circuit after each break are both utilized in the transmission of signals, by which means I am enabled to transmit a given signal in about one-half the time that has hitherto been required by the systems now in use. For example, in transmitting the number 242 by the method heretofore in use the circuit must be broken eight times and closed eight times, while by my improved method the same result can be effected by breaking the circuit four times and closing it four times.

In order to produce the required result upon the apparatus described in my prior applications, hereinbefore referred to, the following conditions must be fulfilled: First, the circuit must be closed at the commencement of the transmission of each group of simple signals representing a single numeral 5 second, the circuit must be broken and closed, alternately,

at successive short and equal intervals until the Whole number of such breaks and closes taken together represents the single numeral which is to be transmitted; and, third, the condition of the circuit resulting from the transmission of the last signal of the group indicating such number must be prolonged or continued for an interval considerably exceeding the interval between the signals forming the group, in order that the mechanism which shifts the action of the indicator at the central station from one row of figures to the next succeeding one may be brought into action.

I will now proceed to describe the mechanism by means of which this result is effected.

Referring to Figure 1, A represents a frame, in and upon which the transmitting apparatus is mounted.

B is a fiat metallic spring, mounted upon a bracket, b, of insulating material, and normally pressing, by its own resiliency, against the contact-point 0, thereby keeping closed the electric circuit which traverses the wires to 20 connected, respectively, with the spring B and contact-point c.

Beneath the free end I) of the spring B is a circuit-wheel, D, capable of rotation, and pro- 'vided with cam-shaped teeth, as at d cf 9,

which, when the wheel is made to revolve in 'the direction indicated by the arrow, succesis broken and closed, and this arrangement is different at each signaling-station; It being understood that the designating-signal of each station is transmitted by one complete revolution of the wheel D at that station, (the man- 'ner in which the revolution is produced being hereinafter explained,) the manner in which the construction of the wheel is varied for the production of different signals will now be explained.

The circuit-wheel D in Fig. 1 represents the number 242. The wheel is shown in the drawings in its normal position of rest, and when set in motion it makes one complete revolution at auniform rate of speed in the direction indicated by the arrow, and then stops at the same point from which it started. As the first tooth d passes the point of the spring B the circuit is broken once and closed once, indicating the numeral 2. A considerable space next intervenes, during which time the circuit remains in the condition in which it was left by the transmission of the last signalthat is to say, closed. The passage of the next two teeth 0 f causes the circuit to be broken, closed, broken and closed at short and equal intervals,designatin g the number4, after which another pause intervenes before the transmission of the final group of signals, which is effected by the passage of the tooth g, indicating the number- 2, in the same manner as by the passage of the tooth d.

When the compound -signa1 number to be transmitted consists entirely of even numerals, the arrangement of the circuit-wheel is, in all cases, similar to that just described, differing only in respect to the number of teeth in each group.

In Figs. 4, 5, and 6 I have shown examples of circuit-wheels in which odd numerals enter into the combination constituting the signal. Fig. 4 represents a wheel adapted to transmit the number 368. When this wheel is set in motion the circuit is broken and then closed bythe tooth d, and is then immediately broken again by the half-tooth a, counting 3; but instead of being closed again, the circuit is held open for a considerable interval by the prolongation of the half-tooth c, which extends to f, at which point the circuit-breaker resumes its normal position, closing the circuit in readiness for the transmission of the next group, 9, which consists of three teeth, denoting 6, followed at a proper interval by a group of four teeth, denoting 8. Fig. 5, upon the same principle, represents a Wheel adapted to transmit the number 231, and Fig. 6 a wheel adapted to transmit the number 135.

Any other group of numerals may, in this manner, be transmitted by means of a wheel of appropriate construction.

It is obvious that the apparatus might be constructed so as to operate in a manner the reverse of that which has been describedthat is, by having the circuit normally open and commencing the transmission of each group of simple signals by closing the circuit-but the principle of the operation would be the same in either case.

The circuit-wheel D is caused to revolve by means of suitable mechanism, which will now be described.

Lis alever, which projects forward from the frame A and is pivoted at Z. This lever is connected, by means ofaswinging hook, E,with another lever, H, whichis pivoted to the frameat one end, as shown at h, and carries at its other end a toothed segment, H. The teeth of the segment 11 engage with a pinion, I, which is fixed upon an axis with a ratchet-wheel, J, having but one tooth,j, and these revolve loosely upon the arbor p of the scape-wheel P. Upon the latter is fixed a pawl, K, kept in place by a spring, k. When a signal is to be transmittedthe leverLis pulled down by the operator into the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, and this, by means of the swinging hook E, pulls down the lever H and segment H, at the same time straining the mainspring M, which has one of its ends attached to the lever and the other to a fixed point, m. The motion of the segment H causes the pinion I and ratchet-wheel J to make one revolution in the direction denoted by the arrow, after which the pawl K slips behind the tooth j. Thedever L being then released, the recoil of the mainspring M pulls the segment H back to its normal position, causing the pinion I to make one revolution in the reverse direction, carrying with it the ratchet-wheel J, the scapewheel 1?, and the circuit-wheel D, the last two having been coupled on by the pawl K. The motion is rendered uniform by the pallets a a and the short regulating-pendulum N, which acts upon the teeth of the scape-wheel P.

In order to prevent any irregularity in the handling of the lever L from interfering with the correct transmission of the signals, it is necessary to provide some means of disconnectin g the lever Lt'rom the circuit-wheel and its impelling-spring the instant the latter has been properly wound up. I effect this result by means of mechanism which will now be described.

The swinging hook E (see Fig. 2) takes hold of a tooth or projection, 0, upon the lever L when the latter is in a position of rest, being pressed against it by the action of the V- shaped springQ q, the longer arm of which, Q, is secured to the swinging hook E, while the shorter arm, q, bears against the fixed pin 0.

When the lever L is pulled down, carrying with it the swinging hook E and its attachments, the long arm of the spring Q is brought to bear against the fixed pin 1', and its resiliency tends to throw the swinging arm away from the lever L and to unhook it therefrom. So long as the hook remains engaged by the downward pull this tendency is resisted, but the moment the lever L is released it is instantly drawn back to its normal position by the recoil of a spring, Z. This releases the swinginghook E, which is immediately thrust to the right by the recoil of the spring Q, so that a projection, t, which is formed on the back of the swinging hook, passes behind a fixed pin, a, which keeps the hook away from the projection 0 until the sector H has returned to a position of rest by the action of the mainspring M, by which time the projection 26 has passed above and free from the pin u. The recoil of the spring q then throws the hook E to the left, so that it engages with the projection 0, in readiness for the next pull of the lever L.

Thus it will be understood from the above description that it is necessary to pull the lever L down to the full extent of its movement before the pawl K will engage with the tooth j to move the circuit-wheel, and that when released the lever is instantly disengaged from the mechanism which impels the circuit-wheel, and cannot be connected therewith again until the transmission of the signal has been completed and all the mechanism directly connected with the circuit-wheel restored to its normal position, so that any irregular or unskillful operation of the lever will not interfere with the-correct and complete transmission of the required signal.

A weight may be substituted for the mainspring M, if preferred.

I claim as my invention- 1. The hereinbefore-described art, method, or system of transmitting compound numerical signals through an electric circuit, which consists, first, in restoring the circuit to its normal condition prior to commencing the transmission of each group of simple signals representing a single numeral; second, in alternately breaking and closing the circuit at successive short and equal intervals until the number of such breaks and closures taken together represent the single numeral which is to be transmitted; and, third, in prolonging or continuing the condition of the circuit, whether open or closed, by which the transmission of said group of simple signals is completed for an interval exceeding the interval between the signals of the group before restoring the circuit to its normal condition for commencingthe transmission of the next group of signals.

2. An automatic signal transmitter constructed, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, so as to transmit groups of simple signals by alternately breaking and closing the circuit at short and equal intervals, and to separate said groups by prolonging the terminal signal of each group whether the said terminal signal was produced by opening or by closing the circuit.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a circuit-wheel impelled by the action of a mainspring, a lever for winding said spring, a swinging hook adapted to engage with said lever, so as to enable it to wind said mainspring-only when the spring is relaxed and the mechanism in its position of rest.

4. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the winding-lever L, the mainspring M, the swinging hook E, and the spring Q, for detaching the book from the lever.

5. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the winding-lever L, the mainspring M, the swinging hook E, the spring Q, for detaching the hook from the lever, and the pin u, for keeping the hook free from the lever during the retrograde movement of the hook.

6. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the winding-lever L, the swinging hook E, and the spring q, for turning the hook into gear with the lever.

CHESTER H. POND.

Witnesses:

MILLER (J. EARL, NELSON ZABRISKIE, 

